I have the honour to present a petition on behalf of Mrs. Margaret Todd, MBE, the founder and secretary of the Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund, and of more than 5,000 constituents of my own and other constituents in east Kent.

The petition reads:

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of Mrs M Todd, MBE, and others,

SHEWETH

That the setting off of fireworks causes distress and sometimes injury to domestic and farm animals and other wildlife.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will restrict the setting off of fireworks to 5th November and ban the setting off of fireworks on all other days, except for properly organised and licensed public celebrations.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

I hope that the petition will give a nudge to the legislation currently going through the House, and that on Friday 13 June we shall take another step forward to the realisation of my petitioners' dreams.

To lie upon the Table